Best Cities for Families in New Jersey
Why New Jersey Works for Families
New Jersey is a strong state for families, ranking #12 out of 50. With excellent schools, a low violent crime rate of 195 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $97,126, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs run above the national average with a cost-of-living index of 109.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and New Jersey delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 91%, above the national average. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 96/100. At $13,208 per year for infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. New Jersey excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 195 incidents per 100,000 residents. The higher cost of living (index: 109) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # | City | Grade | Families Score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoboken | A+ | 67.9 | 70.6 | 88 | 87 | 31 | 58,340 |
| 2 | Bayonne | B+ | 63.2 | 58.0 | 78 | 79 | 57 | 70,303 |
| 3 | Clifton | B+ | 62.6 | 59.1 | 79 | 81 | 57 | 88,478 |
| 4 | Hackensack | B+ | 62.0 | 56.8 | 88 | 74 | 55 | 45,768 |
| 5 | Toms River | B | 60.9 | 56.2 | 78 | 81 | 55 | 95,515 |
| 6 | West New York | B | 60.3 | 54.2 | 69 | 82 | 58 | 51,683 |
| 7 | Lakewood | C+ | 60.3 | 50.9 | 85 | 81 | 53 | 67,764 |
| 8 | Union City | C+ | 58.2 | 52.4 | 76 | 75 | 55 | 64,470 |
| 9 | Jersey City | B | 57.5 | 55.0 | 72 | 61 | 52 | 291,663 |
| 10 | Camden | D | 55.1 | 40.2 | 74 | 81 | 73 | 71,099 |
| 11 | Perth Amboy | C | 55.0 | 45.9 | 80 | 72 | 57 | 55,278 |
| 12 | Vineland | C | 54.0 | 46.8 | 71 | 59 | 71 | 60,692 |
| 13 | East Orange | C | 53.6 | 45.8 | 76 | 62 | 60 | 69,553 |
| 14 | Elizabeth | C | 53.1 | 48.7 | 76 | 50 | 60 | 135,836 |
| 15 | Newark | D | 52.8 | 45.0 | 69 | 60 | 63 | 304,943 |
| 16 | Plainfield | C | 49.7 | 45.9 | 56 | 62 | 55 | 54,515 |
| 17 | Passaic | D | 49.4 | 43.7 | 60 | 51 | 60 | 68,917 |
| 18 | New Brunswick | D | 46.7 | 43.0 | 70 | 25 | 56 | 55,744 |
| 19 | Paterson | D | 45.9 | 39.3 | 73 | 30 | 62 | 156,419 |
| 20 | Trenton | F | 44.0 | 37.7 | 54 | 30 | 72 | 89,607 |